News You Can Use

June 10, 2022

This is a publication to keep you informed of issues and events pertaining to the osteopathic profession in Washington State. We invite you to submit topics or articles of interest to your colleagues for consideration. Submissions may be emailed to executivedirector@woma.org

SAVE THE DATE!

108th Northwest Osteopathic Convention!

September (22)23-25, 2022

Pacific Northwest University in Yakima, WA

LIVE AND IN-PERSON

The last couple of years has been challenging in many ways for everyone. This includes holding WOMA’s usual live events. While we did our best to provide virtual CME opportunities and meetings - we have missed seeing everyone. Many of you have been asking when we would resume in-person events and we were unable to provide answers due to a variety of factors. However, we are excited to announce that WOMA is in planning mode! This unique conference will blend our annual

Summer Convention and our Fall Seminar. WOMA’s 108^th is going to be one of excellent curriculum and comradeship. Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 22nd-Sunday, September 25th. (While we have the 23rd-25th confirmed, we are working to get you as many credits as possible, therefore we are working on the 22nd as a possibility for a few late afternoon sessions as well). Watch your inbox and WOMA’s website for additional details and information as they unfold. As you wait for updates, rest assured that we are currently working to bring you a live, excellent quality CME conference and celebratory reunion! Please also know that WOMA appreciates your patience during these unusual times and is grateful for your continued support. We can’t wait to see you all face to face!

*Please remember if you have not paid your dues for 2022, you will not be eligible for the WOMA member discount for registration. You can click here to pay your dues or check your account for any open invoices. If you have any questions, please contact the WOMA office at 425-677-3930 or email hgriffin@woma.org.

Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery Member Vacancies

The Department of Health, Health Systems Quality Assurance Division (HSQA) is accepting applications to fill vacancies on the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (board). This recruitment will be used to fill three current professional member vacancies and one public member vacancy.

HSQA is looking for public-spirited people willing to study the issues and make decisions in the public’s best interest. Health profession boards, commissions, and committees operate under legislative mandate to:

Protect the health and safety of the public; and
Promote the welfare of the state by regulating the competency and quality of health care providers under their authority.

The Governor’s Office and the Department of Health seek diversity in board and commission members. We recognize the value variety brings in understanding and serving the people of Washington State. We need candidates with diverse backgrounds and those who provide geographic representation throughout the state.

To qualify for one of the three professional positions on the board, an individual must hold a current active license as an osteopathic physician in the state of Washington. The fourth position is open to all public individuals who do not hold a health care profession credential nor do they have a material interest in the delivery of health care services.

If you are interested in applying for an appointment to the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, please see Governor Inslee’s Boards and Commissions Apply to Serve webpage. On the application, please select that you are applying for the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. An application along with a current résumé must be submitted by June 15, 2022.

A description of the roles and responsibilities to serve on the board can be found on the board's information webpage.

CHARS Update

The CHARS (Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System) program has undergone significant changes over the past year. The Department of Health has implemented a new data collection process with the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) and are working to implement new legislation.

As of March 2022, the Department of Health no longer collects patient discharge data directly from hospitals. Patient discharge data is now reported to the WSHA through their system called PNWPop.

During the 2021 legislative session, the legislature passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1272 1272-S2.SL.pdf (wa.gov). For CHARS, the new law requires hospitals to report patient discharge information related to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, preferred language, any disability, and zip code of primary residence. This means new data elements will be collected for CHARS reporting purposes.

To assist you, they have created a project web page Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1272 CHARS Implementation I Washington State Department of Health that provides updates regarding the implementation of HB 1272. You will find timelines, data collection requirements, eligibility for waivers or grants, and answers to frequently asked questions.

**Although they now have a new data collector for reporting CHARS data, CHARS data is still available to purchase through DOH. The shift to a new process for collecting CHARS data does not impact the availability of CHARS data or the process to request it.

All data requests and inquiries should be sent to: CHS.datarequests@doh.wa.gov

Research requests should be sent to: CHSresearchrequests@doh.wa.gov

For media inquiries, please send your questions to: DOH-PIO@doh.wa.gov

If you have any questions, please send them to CHARSgeneral@doh.wa.gov or call 504-200-3948.

Website About Us Advocacy Careers Communications

The Washington Osteopathic Medical Association